West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-10-13
Quotations from o. 3. Graut.

/ propose 10 fight IL out on this line IL II
takes all summer.
Boys enjoy the misery Of their cOmpan<
ions, and in late life 1 have found that ali
adults are not free from this peculiarly.
/ have no recollection Of ever having
been punished at home, either by scolding
or the rod. But ut school the case was
different,
Circumstances always did shape my
course different from my plans.
Nations, like individuals, are punished
for their transgressiOns.
do not believe 1 would have the cour-
age to fight duel.
No doubt the majority of duels fought
have been for want of moral courage on the
part OF those engaged TO decline.
Bad habits, IL not restrained by law or
public opinion, spread more rapidly than
good ones.
Experience proves that the man who OBJ
structs a war IN which his nation 10 en-
gagged occupies no enviable place IN life or
history.
All secret, oath bound political parties
are dangerous to any nation, no matter how
pure or how patriotic the motives and
principles which first bring them together.
IL is preposterous to suppose that the
people of one generation can lay down the
best and only rules of government for ell
who are TO come after them, and under un-
foreseen contingencies.
The only place ever found In my life
TO put paper so a TO find il again was
either in a side coat-pocket or the hands Of
a clerk or secretary more careful than my
self.
! always admired the South, as bad as
thought their cause, for the boldness with
which they silenced all opposition and alf
croaking, by press or by individuals, within
their control.
A great many men, when they smell bat
tie afaf off, chafe 10 get into the fray.
/ have known d few men who were al
ways aching for fight when there was no
enemy near, who were as good as their
word when the battle did come. But the
number of such men is small.
i am not aware of ever having used O
profane eIpletiye in my life; but 1 would
have the charity to excuse those who may
have done SO, If they were in charge of a
train of Mexican pack mules at the time.
Nothing SO popularizes a candidate for
high civil position as military victories.
Two commanders on one field are always
one too many.
War ut all times, whether a civil war be-
tween the sections of a common country or
between nations. ought to be avoided, IL
possible with honor.
Persons obtaining important commands
by application or political influence are apt
TO keep written record or complaints and
predictions of defeat which are shown in
case of disaster. SOMEBODY must be re-
sponsible for their failure.
While battle is raging one can sec his
enemy moved down by the thousand or the
ten thousand with great composure, but
after the battle these scenes are distressing,
and one is naturally disposed TO do as
much to alleviate the suffering of an enemy
as of a friend.
better army, man for man, probably
never faced an enemy than the one COM
handed by General Taylor in the Garlic vt
two engagements in the Mexican war.
would not have the anniversaries of our
victories celebrated, nor those of our de-
feats made fast days and spent in humilia-
ton and prayer; but would like to see
truthful history written.